One month course, offered September, $195.

A greener workplace can provide substantial benefits to your organization’s triple bottom line – people, planet and profits.  By reducing the energy intensity of their buildings and materials demand and waste, green workplaces can save money and reduce their impact on the environment.  Come discover the keys to making green workplaces a success for you and your organization.  This online course is suitable for those new to green workplaces or already working in a green space and interested in enhancing their knowledge of what makes it a green space. Includes a green workplace toolkit.

WHEN
September 7 – October 1
During this time frame, you can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More details are below.

FEE
$195

REGISTER
Visit the USGBC-STL Event Registration page, and click “Register” under the Green Workplace listing.

COURSE AGENDA
Unit 1
Introduction to Green Workplaces
EPA estimates we spend 90% of our time indoors
The advantages of green workplace for businesses
The advantages of green workplace for workers
Why the green workspace trend is growing

Unit 2
Planning the Transition to a Green Workplace
Discussing green workplaces within your organization
Facility, equipment, and policy requirements
Identifying low-hanging fruit
Developing a plan for transitioning to a green workplace
Redesigning your workplace for green

Unit 3
Implementing Green Workplaces
Securing and sustaining the commitment of all stakeholders
Measuring success and returns on investment – reinvestment of those returns
Continuous and constant effort strategies
Providing for accountability and reward

Unit 4
Issues in Green Workplaces
Best practices tool kit
Learning curve soft costs
Top 5 low cost/high return strategies
Key advanced strategies

HOW THE COURSE WORKS
It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom.  You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

PARTICIPATE WHEN YOU WANT
Participants can participate as little or as much as you want.

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.

For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
For each Unit, you will:

• Read the print readings (about 20 pages a week)
• Have the option of accessing the online readings
• Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides
• Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
• Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.

The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

DISCUSSION
The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each week to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Pepper Smith is the Green Programs Manager for Davis Energy Group, a residential mechanical engineering and green consulting firm located in Davis, CA. Pepper is a USGBC LEED Faculty member and instructor for the University of California. Prior to consulting and teaching about residential green building, Pepper worked for D.R. Horton, Sacramento working on Energy Star, Environments for Living, and LEED for Homes projects.

Kelly Gearhart is a Principal with Triple Green Building Group, a green building consulting firm with locations in San Francisco, CA, Atlanta, GA, Savannah, GA and Sophia, Bulgaria. Gearhart is a USGBC LEED Faculty member, Instructor for the University of California, former Manager of Commercial Green Building Services at Southface Energy Institute, Inc. and has been involved with green building education, technical assistance, and leadership since 2005.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To provide organizations and workers with background information on the growth, costs, benefits, productivity, and profitability of green workplaces, and the reasons why organizations and workers benefit from green workplaces
• To provide those interested in green workplaces with the knowledge necessary to transition from a conventional workplace situation to a green workplace including understanding typical building functions, measuring performance, and utilizing best-practice green strategies
• To address the most commonly asked questions about green workplaces, including costs, benefits, challenges, and low-hanging fruit
• To introduce advanced strategies used in green workplaces
• To have those currently working in green workplaces share their experiences with those interested in green workplaces

COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the course, you will:

• Upon successful completion of this course, you will:
• Possess the information necessary to discuss the advantages of green workplaces in your organization, including trend data on the costs and benefits, information on productivity and profitability, and the reasons why businesses benefit from green workplaces
• Get the knowledge necessary to champion the transition to a green workplace
• Know the most common issues related to green workplaces
• Possess a high-level understanding of a few key advanced green workplace concepts and strategies.

Two month online course, offered in September-October.

Get the knowledge to excel as a green professional in the new economy. Acquire an introduction to sustainability and how it lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of the green building process.

This two-month online course provides essential knowledge of sustainable building concepts that are fundamental to all LEED Rating Systems. Participants who successfully complete this online course are eligible and prepared to sit for the LEED Green Associate exam.

The course begins with an introduction to the benefits and integrative approach to green building, and a brief background on the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED, including basics of the building certification process. The core of the course presents LEED intents and concepts at the credit category level -across building types and rating systems – touching on strategies, synergies, and specific examples that are reinforced by real project case examples

Key LEED metrics and LEED referenced standards are addressed throughout. Discussion groups and interactive activities throughout the course keep you engaged and reinforce what you have learned. The course will wrap up with a review and preparation to sit for the LEED Green Associate exam.

The course includes:

• Two USGBC publications: “Green Associate Study Guide” and “Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide.”
• Study activities and practice exam questions to prepare for LEED Green Associates exam
• Access to the USGBC Core Concepts and Strategies online course and other selected USGBC presentations and webinars
• Discussions facilitated by USGBC LEED Faculty™ who are LEED Accredited Professionals with years of experience in LEED and green building.

WHEN
September 6 – October 29
During this time frame, you can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More details are below.

FEE
$695  (Fee includes texts)

REGISTER
Visit the USGBC-STL Event Registration page, and click “Register” under the Green Buildings and Preparing for LEED Green Associate listing.

ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING
Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends.  It’s easy. It’s fun.

HOW THE COURSE WORKS
It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom.  You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

PARTICIPATE WHEN YOU CAN
Participants can participate as little or as much as they want.

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.

For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.  It is estimated that this course will require 32 hours of seat time.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
For each Unit, you will:

• Read the print readings (about 20 pages a week)
• Accessadditional online readings
• Watch Videos and recorded presentations
• Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
• Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.

The content (readings, videos, activities) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

DISCUSSION
The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area throughout the week and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each week to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Your instructors are LEED Faculty with the U.S. Green Building Council, developer of this course. The Faculty are LEED Accredited Professional with years of experience in LEED and green building.

COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

• Define sustainable as it relates to green building
• Describe the structure of the LEED rating system and the LEED certification process
• Describe key green building concepts and goals associated with LEED
• Recognize successful LEED strategies and measurements for achieving goals
• Describe the central role of integrative design
• Identify and explain synergies among LEED credit categories and strategies
• Describe case studies that represent LEED best practices
• Gain knowledge needed to apply for the LEED Green Associate Exam

For professionals participating in the design and construction phases of high-performance, durable, affordable and environmentally sound commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings, the LEED AP Building Design + Construction exam is designed to measure your knowledge and skill in understanding the LEED BD+C Rating System and ability to facilitate the project certification process.

USGBC-STL’s four-evening (16 hours total) LEED BD+C Specialty Exam Prep course is designed to prepare participants for the LEED BD+C Specialty exam.  Skilled instructors will discuss categories and credits in the LEED BD&C Rating System, explore methods of sustainable project delivery and green building practices, and offer test taking tips. Subject areas covered include:

·        Introduction, Exam Strategy, and BD+C Process
·        Sustainable Sites
·        Water Efficiency
·        Energy and Atmosphere
·        Materials and Resources
·        Indoor Environmental Quality
·        Test Taking Tips
·        Practice Exam

WHEN
Mondays and Wednesdays, September 20, 22, 27 & 29, 2010
4:30pm – 8:30pm each day

WHERE
Masonry Institute of St. Louis
1429 S. Big Bend Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63117
map

FEE
$200.00 for USGBC-STL Members
$250.00 for Non-members
*Textbook costs are NOT included in course fee
*Course fee includes dinner

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
1) USGBC LEED Building Design + Construction Study Guide, USGBC
2) LEED AP Building Design + Construction Candidate Handbook (free download) and references outlined on page 16 of the handbook.
3) LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, USGBC (NOT required, but strongly recommended)

The study guide and reference guide may be purchased on the USGBC Publications page of the USGBC website. The study guide price is $70 for employees of national USGBC member companies/$85 for non-members.  Please plan for shipping time.

PREREQUISITES
Students must read and understand the steps needed to enroll for and take the exam, including meeting exam eligibility requirements.  The instructors will only address this as a broad overview.

REGISTER
Click here to visit our Event Registration page, then click on the Register button under the USGBC-STL LEED Building Design + Construction (BD+C) Specialty Exam Prep Course event listing.

INSTRUCTORS
Paul Todd Merrill, Clayco’s Director of Sustainable Construction, is a Registered Professional Engineer in 12 states and responsible for planning, design and construction of Clayco’s sustainable efforts. Paul has been involved in over 30 LEED certified projects and, for the past eight years, he has developed and led LEED training sessions covering LEED versions 2.1, 2.2 and 3.0 for Clayco’s internal educational efforts and training sessions for owners, building code officials, law firms, manufactures and subcontractors. In addition, Paul is an adjunct professor at Washington University in the Sever School of Engineering.  Paul received his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1981. Paul currently serves as Vice Chair on the USGBC-STL Board of Directors.

Nick Bristow, Project Engineer at Clayco, can be generally be called a LEED coordinator for Clayco LEED Projects. From the first checklist to certification, Nick works with the Design and Construction team to pursue LEED certification of buildings. Nick has been involved with 10 LEED certified buildings and another 25 registered projects of various versions including LEED NC v2.2, LEED CS v2.0, and LEED 2009. For the past three years, he helped to develop and lead Clayco’s LEED AP training program.  Nick volunteers for the LEED committee of the St. Louis Habitat Humanity, builder of 27 LEED Platinum homes locally and counting, and has participated in two different item writing workshops for the Green Building Certificate Institute, maker of the LEED AP and Green Associate exams.  In addition, Nick serves on the USGBC-STL Education Task Force.

PLEASE NOTE
This course does not guarantee students will pass the LEED AP BD+C Specialty exam.  Additional time outside of class will be required for reading the required textbooks and for further study.  Registering and taking the LEED AP exam, and any associated costs, are not included in this course.

This course prepares participants for the specialty portion of the LEED AP BD+C credentialing exam. LEED AP exams are comprised of two parts: Green Associate & the Specialty. Candidates must pass both portions of the exam in order to receive the LEED AP credential.

QUESTIONS? Contact USGBC-STL staff by email or phone (314) 577-0225.

Thank You to our Event Sponsor!

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION.

See the USGBC Course Catalog for other opportunities.

This workshop, developed by USGBC, introduces the credit intents, key elements, main requirements, and reference standards of the Green Building Design and Construction (BD+C) LEED rating systems. Workshop participants will gain a solid understanding of the core concepts and strategies of the following LEED rating systems: New Construction & Major Renovations (NC); Core & Shell (CS); and Schools – supporting successful green construction projects.

Led by official USGBC LEED FacultyTM who are LEED and facilitation experts, this workshop provides an understanding of the scope of the LEED BD+C rating system family, covering the distinctive aspects of each rating system within it. The course examines all prerequisites and credits in LEED BD+C’s six credit categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Indoor Environmental Quality, Materials & Resources, and Innovation in Design; it also addresses Regional Priority credits. The workshop introduces all of the credits, going into detail on the goals, intents, requirements, and strategies of prerequisites and selected key credits. The course also reinforces understanding of synergies between credits, and provides an overview of the LEED certification process, including basic documentation considerations. Throughout the day, participants will engage in discussions and interactive activities based on real-life projects to enforce what is taught about LEED BD+C prerequisites, credits, and concepts.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the unique aspects of the BD+C rating system family, and differences between each rating system (NC, CS, and Schools) within this family
• Identify the minimum program requirements for the BD+C rating systems
• Describe the goal, intent, and requirements of BD+C prerequisites and key credits
• Identify synergies between BD+C credits
• Plan for key considerations and requirements for the LEED certification process

WHEN
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
8:30am – 5:00pm

WHERE
Doubletree Hotel Springfield
Rathdangan I & II
2431 North Glenstone Ave.
Springfield, MO 65803

FEE
Before August 16, 2010:
USGBC Members: $325
Non-Members: $390

On or after August 16, 2010
USGBC Member: $355
Non-Member: $440

REGISTER
Click here to register

What Registration Includes:

• Instruction from official USGBC Faculty who are experts in LEED and trained in facilitation and adult learning techniques.
• Participant workbook, interactive learning activities based on real LEED projects and a glossary of key green building definitions.
• Option to order one print edition of the corresponding Reference Guide at a discounted rate ($145 plus taxes and S&H); no exchanges or refunds.
• Continuing education for 7 hours of instruction directly reported to AIA and CSI.
• Certificate of completion for self-reporting to other professional organizations, including GBCI (7 CE hours).
• Lunch and refreshments.